Anton breaks leg on England duty

West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand could be out of action for three months after fracturing a leg during the England Under-21 match against Poland.

The 19-year-old Ferdinand was being assessed by West Ham's medical staff today after returning home with the rest of the Under-21 squad following their 3-1 victory.

Ferdinand hobbled off after 38 minutes when he was fouled on his left leg by two players - Karol Gregorek and Slawomir Peszko. Gregorek was yellow carded for the incident and Ferdinand was replaced by Matt Kilgallon.

His injury will intensify West Ham's bid to sign Calum Davenport on loan from Tottenham.

Davenport, signed by Spurs from Hammers' Championship rivals Coventry, played alongside Ferdinand last night.

Cole claimed his fourth goal in three games for the Under-21s when he equalised against the run of play with a stunning strike in first-half injury time.

Then the striker, on loan from Chelsea to Aston Villa, gave a halftime rallying call to his teammates before two goals from substitute Darren Bent, his fifth and sixth in eight games, sealed victory.

Taylor said: "Carlton scored a fantastic goal - and then he was one of those in the dressing room at half-time that reminded everyone that the standard in the first half was not good enough. He knew that his mates had not performed like they normally can.

"Before I started having my say they were having a gee-up of their own and they were first class for a young group of players."

Cole could soon be knocking on the door of the senior squad and Taylor said: "He is really enjoying his football and is working extremely hard and it was a great half-volley for the goal. Can he step up? It's early days. But if he keeps working, hopefully he will get a chance."

Cole said: "Peter Taylor allows us to express ourselves on the field and it is paying off."

Poland went ahead through Marcin Burkhardt's early strike, but the game changed when Dariusz Dudka was sent off in first half injury-time for dissent immediately after Cole's equaliser from a David Bentley chipped pass.

Bent put England ahead from the penalty spot after Jermaine Pennant had been brought down and added the third after exchanging passes with Cole.